Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven has issued a statement regarding the identification of Army Pvt. 1st Class Charles R. Reiser, a servicemember from Washburn, North Dakota, who was lost during World War II's Operation Forager. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that Reiser's remains were accounted for on June 25, 2024.

Reiser was killed on June 15, 1944, while his unit, D Company of the 708th Amphibious Tank Battalion, provided armor support to Marines landing on Saipan’s beaches. U.S. servicemembers faced continuous attacks from Japanese mortars during this operation.

“We are grateful for the DPAA and their work in identifying Charles. It’s vital that we always remember the bravery and sacrifices made by our servicemembers during WWII,” said Hoeven. “Charles, who was killed along with thousands of other Americans during the Battle of Saipan, reminds us yet again of the courage of the Greatest Generation. We honor Charles’ sacrifice and join his family, his fellow veterans and North Dakotans in paying tribute to his loss.”

Hoeven played a role in advancing legislation in 2014 that led to the creation of the DPAA and has supported its mission to locate and return missing service personnel's remains since then. The DPAA identified Reiser’s remains using DNA analysis as well as dental and other evidence.

Reiser will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a date yet to be determined.

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